Blank-cutting machine



Feb. 5, 1929.

rw fllilm d E. I.. PATTEN BLANK QUTTING lAdnxus 5 Filed July 22, 1925 '4 shuts-Sheet 1 ATTONEY Peb. 5, 1929.. 1,701,082

E. 1 PATTEN BLANK CUTTING MACHINE Film1 July 22, 1925 4 sheets-Sheet 2 y' f a 40 I as o 37 e 't 7s, 61 E; E r\\\ V79 a J H o o Inllmlhullllll mvENToR Lkr/557' L. H11-rm www ATT RNEY E. L. PATTEN BLANK CUTTING MACHINE Filed .my 22. 1925 4 sheets-sheet` 3 INVENTOR ERNEST .Pqrrm Feb. 5, 1929. 1,701,082

' l E.LraATTEN BLANK CUTTING MACHINE Filed July 22. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .ATTO NEY Patented Feb. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE..

ERNEST L. PATTEN, or NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, AssrGNon. To'L. CANDEE & corr-l PANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT,` A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

BLANK-CUTTING MACHINE.

Application led July 22, 1925. kSerial No."45,177.

This invention relates to a blank cutting machine, more particularly to a machine for dieing out blanks, such as rubber shoe uppers, l

fromsheet stock.

In the making of rubber footwear such as rubber overshoes it has been customary in forming the blank for the shoe upper from sheet stock to perform this operation manually, the operator either running a knife around a raised bead on the stock outlining the upper, or disposing a pattern on the stock and passing a knife around the edge of the pattern, or alternatively using a die in the shape of the desired blank and after placing this upon the stock striking it with a mallet.

Such operations can only be performed relatively slowly, and in the case where theV calendered stock is provided with preformed raised beads outliningr the upper edge of the uppers the operation requires a careful plac ing of the die or pattern and `manipulation of the knife in order that this bead may not be cut through.

An object of my invention is to provide a machine for automatically dieing out blanks, such as rubber shoe uppers, from sheet stock. Another object is to provide a machine for dieing out blanks in registry with predetermined outlines on the sheet stock. `Still an-` other object is to die out blanks in registry with such outlines from a continuouslyfmoving sheet stock. A further object is to provide an improved safety device for `preventingI injury to the operator by the dies.

The machine comprises broadly a reciprocable die, means for intermittently raising the die and holding it in raised position, means governed by the stock passing beneath the die for releasing it, and means actuated by the die in its operative stroke for assisting its return stroke. It also comprises an improved safety device for preventing injury to an operative by the die.

l? or a detailed disclosure of the natur-eend objects of the invention reference is had to the accompanying specification and drawings, in

Fig'. `l is a. part transverse vertical sectien brengt Figure. aerith the die omitted:

Fig. 5 "is an enlarged perspective, of a trip switch; z j l Fig is an enlarged section partly broken away through the safety device;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the inverted die; Fig. 8 is a perspective of a detail. j

Referringto the drawings ,the numeral 1 designates the main frame of themachine provided with a work bed 2 across which is movable a stock conveyor 3. In the present instance the machine is driven by an electric motor 4, the pulley 5 of which through the belt 6 is connected to the pulley 7 on the main shaft 8 of the machine. Adjacent each end of the main shaft a pinion 9 "is secured,each of which engages a gear 10 loosely mounted on ashaft 11, and each gear shaft may be coupled to its gear 10 by means of a common form `of clutch 12, each clutch also being provided with a brake mechanisml for stopping the shaft 11 when theclutch` is disengaged. As shown in Figure 1 the shafts 11 are in alignment but independent of each other, and each shaft is adapted to drive a separate die mechanism. It is, of course, obvious that if desired only one die may befused in the machine, and since both of the die mechanisms are identical but one of them will be described.

i In the upper part of the frame adjacent the front and back of the frame 1 tracks 14 are provided upon which run rollers or wheels` 15 carrying a drop head 16. This head is provided with a verticalslideway 17 in which reciprocates a slide 18 carrying at its lower end a` die head 19 with which is connected by a dove-tailed joint 20 the'die 21. This die (Figure 7) comprises a substantially rectangular frame 22 within which are disposed complementary blocks 23, 24, 25 and 26 interlitting in such manner as to hold between them a die blade 27 formed in the outline ofa shoe upper. The blocks form substantially a rectangular figure, two sides of which are in contact with the frame 22 while disposed against the other two sides are retaining strips 28 and 28 which are spaced from the frame 22, and in such space are disposed a plurality of quoins29 which are adapted to be tightened by keys 30 to rigidly hold the assembly in the frame 22; An elongated slot `31 is provided between the blocks 26` for the reception of a stock contacting device or trip to be later described. n

The upper end ef the slide isri fermi as .shown at 32 (Figures 3 and 4) and disposed in the forks is a cam roller 33 which is adapted to be actuated by a lifting cam 34 to raise the slide 18, die head 19, ,and die 21. This cam is slidably keyed to the shaft 11 and as shown in Figure 4 is slotted or grooved along a portion of its periphery at `35, Athis slot being provided in order to allow the cam to clear a hook 36. This hook is .adapted to receive and retain the cam roller 33 when the latter is elevated to thereby `maintain the die and its slide in elevated position. The hook is formed at the lower end ot a bell crank 37 pivotally mounted in the iframe, the

hook being normally urged to the right as shown in Figure 4 by a coil spring 38 surrounding its pivot. The other end of the bell crank 38 is connected to a pull rod 39 operable by a solenoid 40 (Figure 2).

This solenoid is operable b the trip mechanism shown in detail in igure 5. This mechanism comprises a bracket 41 attached to the lower side of the drop head 16, the bracket being provided interiorly with the slideways 42, on which is movable a slide 43,

the slide carrying trip mechanism to be later described. The slide may be actuated by the screw rod 44 provided with a knob 45 (Fig. 4) this rod being threaded in a boss 46 on the bracket 41, the inner end of the rod being rotatable in the slide 43 and connected thereto by the head 47. Projecting downwardly from the slide 43 is a supportingl bar 48, in the lower `end of which is pivotally mounted a contact arm 49. The lower end of this arm extends to a point closely adjacent the stock 50 resting on the conveyor 3, so as to just clear the stock itself but in position to contact with the slightly elevated bead 51 outlining the upper edge of an upper. Projecting from the contact arm 49 is an arm 52 upon which rests a push rod 53, the upper end of the push rod being adapted to actuate a spring contact 54 and move it into circuit closing engagement with the spring contact 55. Leading from the contacts 54 and 55 are wires 56 connecting the contacts with the solenoid 40 and a suitable source of current.

When the contact arm 49 is moved to actuate the solenoid 40 and withdraw the hook 36 from the cam roller 33 the slide 18 and die 21 drop on the stock to die out a blank, and as 'it is desirable to keep the stock continuously moving it is essential that the die be withdrawn as rapidly as possible. To accomplish this the slide 18 is provided with a projecting lug 57 (Figure 4) which in the downward movement of the slide engages one end of a lever arm 58, the other end of which is forked and presses against a washer 59 bearinagainst a coil spring 60 disposed on the ro 61. In this manner it will be `seen that as the die falls the coil spring 60 is suddenly compressed and the reaction of this ,mechanism is provided.

spring assists in causing `a rapid rebound of the die.

In order to catch the die mechanism on its rebound and again elevate it the following Projecting from the die head 19 is a lug 62 in which is adjustably secured a contact screw 63, the end of this screw in the fall of the die engaging 1an arm 64 securedon one end of a rock shaft 65, while secured on the opposite end of the rock shaft is another arm 66 which is con nected by a link `67 with a bell crank lever 68 for actuating the clutch 12, to operatively connect the gear 10 and shaft 11. Springs 69 secured to the frame land arm 66 normally maintain the arm in elevated position and the clutch inoperative. Then the arm 66 is operated, however, by the tall of the die, the the `clutch is operated momentarily or for a .suicient period of time to cause one rotation of the shaft 11, by which time the springs 69 have rendered the clutch inoperative again and caused the application of the brake 13 to stop the shaft 11 at the end of a complete revolution. During this revolution the cani 34 lifts the cam roller 33 into engagement with hook 36, thereby raising `the die.

As before stated the operation ort the sec ond 'die is identical with that of the first.y and due to variations of the position of the stock on the conveyor belt or variations in the lateral spacing of the beads `on the stock it desirable to adjust the die mechanisms laterally. In order to accomplish this a hand wheel 70 is mounted at the side ot the trame 1 on a hollow shaft 71 carrying at its opposite end a ysproket 72, this sprocket being connected by the chain 73 with a sprocket 74, the chain also running over an intermediate take up sprocket 7 5. The sprocket 74 is secured on the end of an adjusting screw 76 which is stationarily and rotatably mounted .in the trame (Figures 2 and The adjusting screw 7 6 is threadedly connected to a nut 77 mounted in a bracket 78 projecting 'trom the head 16, and it will be seen that by movenient of the hand wheel 7 0 the head 16 and associated parts may be laterally moved on the tracks 14. A second hand wheel 7 9 is provided with a shaft 80 extending through the hollow shaft 71 and across to the oppo site side of the machine where the shaft is provided with a sprocket 81 adapted through connections similar to those just described to laterally move the right-hand head 16.

In order to prevent injury to the operator during the use or" the dies a guard 82 pro vided which surrounds the dies, and each side of the guard is connected to a slide 83 movable in the frame of the machine (Figure 6). At tached to the guard 82 are cables 84 which pass over pulleys 85 and are connected to counter weights 86, to hold the guard in elevated position when raised. Disposed in the frame is a. switch 87 provided with a switch lOl) arm 88, the switch being suitably wired for stopping or starting the motor 4 of the niachine. This switch arm engages an opening in a latch 89 slidable in the frame, the latch when in the position shown in Figure 6 eX- tending over the slide 83 so as to prevent raising of the guard, and when thus disposed the switch arm 88 is in a position to close the switch and permit motor 4 to operate. As soon as the latch 89 is withdrawn, however, the switch arm 88 is thrown over in position to cut ott' the current and the motor is stopped. At this time the guard may be raised. As an additional safeguard it is pointed out that when the slide Sil and guard are raised the slide prevents inward movement of the latch 89, hence the latch cannot be moved to close the switch 87 while the guard is raised. As the die is somewhat heavy a` roll 90 is provided at one side of the machine to permit the ready removal of the die when itis to be changed or repaired, the die being slid out over this roll as it is removed.

In operation the stock coming from the calender after being preliminarily cooled and dusted is fed on the conveyor `3 and into the machine which is then started. As thestock feeds through the machine the contact arm 49, which projects through the opening 3l in the die, is engaged by a bead 51 on the stock, thereby operating the solenoid 4() torelease the die, which falls in position such that the inner portion of its blade cuts eX- actly around the inner edge of the bead l.

\ The die assistedby thespring then rebounds, and asbefore pointed out, in its fall it has actuated the arm 66 to clutch the gear l0 and shaft ll together to rotate the shaft and in the rotation of" shaftll the'cam 34 operates upon the cam roller to lift the die until the cam roller is engaged by the hook 3G. Upon the contacting oi' the arm 4Q with the next succeeding bead 51 the foregoing operations are repeated. By turn ing the knob 45 the position ol the contact arm 49 may be varied in the slot 31 ofthe die so that the fall ot the die will be properly timed to cut exactly around the bead 5l. Due to the lateral adjustment of the entire die mechanism and the interchangeability of the dies changes may be quickly made for different sizes ci' uppers and for Adifferent spacings thereof on the sheet stock. By reason of the rapid rebound of the die after cutting there is no occasion tor the stopping ot' the stock during a dieing operation and the speed of the machine is therefore increased. By reason oi' the guard construction it is impossible for the operator to lift the guard while the machine is in operation, and once having lifted it the machine cannot be put in operation until the guard is again lowered. By the use of my machine blanks for shoe uppers can be rapidly and accurately died out with great saving in time and labor. While in the sperelease.

cie example shown the invention is` applied to the `dieing out of rubber shoe uppers, `it is evident that it is capable of much wider application and may be used generally for dieing out blanks from sheet materials. `It is therefore not` desired that the invention be limited otherwise than as set forth in the appended claims. i

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is l, A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means for intermittently raising and holding the die in elevated position, a conveyor for continuously supporting the stock during its feeding and dieing, and means actuated by the stock led to the die for releasing the die at each blanking operation.

2. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means for intermittently raising the die, a trip for holding the die in raised position, and means operable by the stock for actuating the trip to release the die at each blanking operation.

A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, rotary means for intermittently raising the die, a spring pressed trip for holding the die in raised position, and means operable by portions of the stock when in predetermined relation to the die for actuating said trip at each blanking operation.

4. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means for intermittently raising the die, a trip for holding the die in raised position, means operable by portions of the stock for releasing the trip at each blanking o aeration, and means for varying the timing o the trip roo 5. A machine for dieing ont blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means for intermittently raismg the die,

a trip for holding the die in raised position,

means operable by portions of the stock for actuating the trip at each blanking operation, andmeans for varying the position of said trip actuating means with respect to the die.

` 6. A machine for dieing ont blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means ttor intermittently raising the die, a trip adapted to engage the die `when raised,

a solenoid iter actuating said trip to release the die, and contact means operable by portions of the stock for rendering said solenoid operative at each blanking operation.`

7. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means for intermittently raising and holding the die, means for continuously supporting and feeding` beneath the die a sheet of stock having raised portions thereon, and

adjustable contact means disposed within the outline of the die and actuated by said raised portions for intermittently releasing the die.

8. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means for intermittently raising and holding the die, means Afor feeding beneath the die a sheet of stock having a raised outline thereon, and means operable by said outline when within the outline ot the die :tor releasing the latter.

9. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a gravity actuated die, intermittently operable means for raising and holding the same, means governed by stock fed to the die for intermittently releasing the latter, and means actuated by the die in falling for putting into operation said die raising means.

l0. A machine tor dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a gravity actuated die, `means for intermittently raising and holding the same including a cam and operating means therefor, means governed by stock fed to the die for intermittently releasing the die, and means actuated by the die in falling for operatively connecting said cam and its operating means.

l1. A machine for dining ont blanks from sheet stock comprising a gravity actuated die, means tor intermittently raising and holding the same, means governed by stock iced to the die ttor intermittently releasing the latter, means tor assisting the rebound ot the die after falling, and means actuated by the die for rendering operative said die raising means.

12. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising means .tor 'feeding a sheet of stock, spaced vertically movable dies disposed thereabove, means tor varying the spacing ot the dies, means for intermittently raising and holding the diesT and means actuated by portions of the stock for releasing the dies at each blanking operation.

13. A machine for dieing out blanks from' sheet stock comprising means 'for continuously feeding a sheet of stock, spaced vertically movable dies disposed thereabove, means for varying the spacing ot the dies, means for intermittently raising the dies, trip means ilor holding the dies in raised position, and means actuated by portions ot' the stock tor releasing said trip mea-ns at each blanking operation.

14;. A machine ,tor dieing out blanks trom sheet stock comprising means for continuously feeding a sheet ot stock, spaced vertically movable dies disposed thereabove,

Leonesa means for varying the spacing of the dies, means for intermittently raising the dies, trip means ifor holding the dies in raised position, means actuated by portions et the stock for releasing said trip means at each i blanking operation, and means for varying the timing of said last means.

15. A machine tor dieing out blanks from sheet stock cmprising driving means, a vertically movable die, al cam for elevating the die, clutch mechanism tor operatively connecting the cam to the driving means, means for holding the die in ele v"ated position, means actuated" by stock lied into the machine for releasing the die, and means actuated by the die for operating said clutch mechanism.

16. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet rubber stock comprising spaced gravity actuated dies, means for elevating the dies, means `for holding the dies in elevated position, means for feeding to the dies a sheet stock having spaced raised outlines thereon, means governed by said outlines -for releasing the dies at predetermined intervals, and moans tor varying the spacing oit' the dies and the timing of the die releasing means in accordance with the spacing of the outlines on the stock.

17. A machine tor dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a vertically movable die, means for elevating the die, a trip for holding the die in elevated position, a sole noid lor operating said trip, a switch for closing a circuit through said solenoid, said switch being adj ustably mounted in predetermined relation to the die, and means for closing said switch opera-ble by the stock at predetermined intervals.

1S. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comlvirising a vertically movable die, means tor raising the die7 drive means, a clutch tor opera-tively connecting said last two means, yielding means for rendering the clutch inoperative. and means actuated by the die in falling tor rendering the clutch operative.

19. A machine for dieing out blanks from sheet stock comprising a continuously movable stock conveyor, a gravity actuated die cooperating therewith, means lor raising and holding the die, means governed by the stock on the conveyor :for releasing the die, and means for augmenting the rebound oit the die 'from the conveyor afte a blanking operation.

Signed at New Haven, county ot New Haven, and State ot Connecticut, this 16th day of July, 1925.

ERNEST L. PATTEN. 

